Nahariya's Byzantine church hit by Hezbollah rocket reopens to public after four months

The Byzantine-era church in Nahariya, damaged by a Hezbollah rocket in April, has reopened to the public after four months of restoration. The Israel Antiquities Authority announced the reopening, noting that the mosaic floor, dating to 550 CE, was covered in debris but undamaged. The church, originally destroyed by Persians in 614 CE, was restored and opened in 2022.

The Byzantine-era church in Nahariya, which was hit by a Hezbollah rocket in April, has reopened to the public after four months of restoration work. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced the reopening in a Monday night social media post, stating that teams from the Nahariya municipality had worked to restore the damaged structure. The church, rediscovered in 1964, features a colorful mosaic floor dating to roughly 550 CE. Originally destroyed by the Persians in 614 CE, it was restored by the IAA over two years and opened in 2022. The IAA had previously told The Jerusalem Post that only the modern protective structure was damaged. An assessment by archaeologists and conservators showed the mosaic was covered in debris but undamaged. The mosaic, over 500 square meters, depicts animals, humans, hunting scenes, and Christian symbols, with 87 of over 100 medallions surviving. IAA regional director Kamil Sari noted the builder was wealthy, and an inscription indicates the church was built by the archbishop of Tyre.